US20230219325A1 - Method for electrically controlling a functional element enclosed in a glazing unit - Google Patents

Method for electrically controlling a functional element enclosed in a glazing unit Download PDF

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Publication number
US20230219325A1
US20230219325A1 US17/928,808 US202117928808A US2023219325A1 US 20230219325 A1 US20230219325 A1 US 20230219325A1 US 202117928808 A US202117928808 A US 202117928808A US 2023219325 A1 US2023219325 A1 US 2023219325A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
functional element
voltage
control unit
electrical voltage
glazing
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US17/928,808
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English (en)
Inventor
Richard STELZER
Bastian KLAUSS
Michael ZEISS
Doane Shelby Craig
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Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
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Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
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Assigned to SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE reassignment SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KLAUSS, Bastian, ZEISS, MICHAEL, Craig, Doane Shelby, STELZER, Richard
Publication of US20230219325A1 publication Critical patent/US20230219325A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
    • B32B17/10036—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets comprising two outer glass sheets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10174—Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10431—Specific parts for the modulation of light incorporated into the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10467—Variable transmission
    • B32B17/10495—Variable transmission optoelectronic, i.e. optical valve
    • B32B17/10504—Liquid crystal layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
    • B32B17/10761—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer containing vinyl acetal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J1/00—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor
    • B60J1/02—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor arranged at the vehicle front, e.g. structure of the glazing, mounting of the glazing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J1/00—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor
    • B60J1/08—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor arranged at vehicle sides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J1/00—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor
    • B60J1/18—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor arranged at the vehicle rear
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J3/00—Antiglare equipment associated with windows or windscreens; Sun visors for vehicles
    • B60J3/04—Antiglare equipment associated with windows or windscreens; Sun visors for vehicles adjustable in transparency
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K4/00—Generating pulses having essentially a finite slope or stepped portions
    • H03K4/94—Generating pulses having essentially a finite slope or stepped portions having trapezoidal shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
    • B32B17/1077—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer containing polyurethane
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2419/00—Buildings or parts thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2479/00—Furniture
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2605/00—Vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
    • B32B27/306—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising vinyl acetate or vinyl alcohol (co)polymers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/36—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyesters

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for controlling a functional element enclosed in a glazing unit, a glazing assembly, and a use of the glazing assembly.
  • Such glazing units are often composite panes, in which a functional element is embedded.
  • the composite panes consist of at least one outer pane, one inner pane, and one adhesive intermediate layer that joins the outer pane to the inner pane surface-to-surface.
  • Typical intermediate layers are polyvinyl butyral films, which have, in addition to their adhesive properties, high toughness and high acoustic damping. The intermediate layer prevents disintegration of the composite glass pane in the event of damage.
  • the composite pane merely cracks, but remains dimensionally stable.
  • Composite panes with electrically controllable optical properties are known from the prior art. Such composite panes contain a functional element, which typically contains an active layer between two flat electrodes. The optical properties of the active layer can be changed by a voltage applied on the flat electrodes. Electrochromic functional elements, known, for example, from US 20120026573 A1 and WO 2012007334 A1, are an example of this. SPD functional elements (suspended particle device) or PDLC functional elements (polymer dispersed liquid crystal), known, for example, from EP 0876608 B1 and WO 2011033313 A1, are another example. As a result of the voltage applied, the transmittance of visible light through electrochromic or SPD functional elements can be controlled.
  • SPD and PDLC functional elements are commercially available as multilayer films.
  • the flat electrodes required for applying a voltage are arranged between two PET carrier films.
  • the functional element is cut from the multilayer film in the desired size and shape and inserted between the films of an intermediate layer.
  • the flat electrodes are electrically conductively connected to a control module (ECU) outside the composite pane via flat conductors.
  • the control module is provided for applying an electrical voltage between the flat electrodes.
  • US 2017/0090224 A discloses a laminated vehicle glazing with a PDLC film that is operated electrically with alternating current.
  • the AC electrical voltage is not sinusoidal, with an effective voltage of 80 V eff not being exceeded.
  • JP 2013072895 A
  • JP 2013072895 A
  • US 2020/0133042 A1 discloses a device with a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties.
  • the device includes an electrical energy source having an output voltage, the functional element, and two electrical supply lines that connect the functional element to the energy source, wherein the output voltage has AC voltage with a frequency of 40 Hz to 210 Hz, a maximum amplitude U max of 24 V to 100 V, and a slope in the range of the output voltage between ⁇ 80% U max and 80% U max of 0.05*U max /100 ⁇ s to 0.1*U max /100 ⁇ s and in the range of the output voltage U between 80% U max and ⁇ 80% U max of ⁇ 0.05*U max /100 ⁇ s to ⁇ 0.1*U max /100 ⁇ s.
  • Windshields have been proposed in which an electrically controllable sun visor is implemented by a functional element to replace the mechanical foldable sun visor in motor vehicles.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a method that uses the energy consumption of a functional element enclosed in a glazing unit as effectively as possible.
  • the method according to the invention for electrically controlling at least one functional element with electrically controllable optical properties enclosed in a glazing unit comprises at least the following steps:
  • the reduction of the voltage from the peak value is advantageously utilized.
  • the voltage is gradually reduced such that the flat electrodes are discharged with a delay.
  • a profile with moderate slopes, a nearly trapezoidal profile, and/or a profile of a continuously differentiable function can be considered trapezoidal.
  • the electrical energy discharged can be collected and stored.
  • the reactive power which is otherwise lost in the form of thermal energy, is advantageously stored temporarily and reused.
  • step b) and/or in step d) electrical energy can be transferred from the functional element to the control unit.
  • the control unit can have means for temporarily storing the electrical energy outputted by the functional module, for example, a temporary storage unit. This energy can be temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit. This energy can be used during the next charging of the functional element. For example, in step a) and/or step c), the energy temporarily stored can be used for charging the functional element.
  • the control unit can have a capacitor as a temporary storage unit that stores the energy transferred by the functional module. This has the advantage that conventional components can be used.
  • the control unit also includes means, in particular a half-bridge circuit.
  • the half-bridge circuit is provided to convert the energy drawn from the functional element such that this energy can be stored in the temporary storage unit.
  • control unit can have an LC filter and an output transistor (IGBT, FET, or thyristor).
  • the control unit can further have an inductance, in particular a coil, which is electrically connected to a terminal on one of the flat electrodes and with a second terminal, the inductance is, in each case, connected to an input of a switch, in particular of a transistor.
  • control strategy uses pulse width modulation.
  • the electrical voltage can be changed by pulse width modulation. Based on these properties, it can be concluded that the method offers an efficient solution for controlling the electrical voltage applied.
  • the increasing voltage can be applied for the same period of time as the period of time during which the voltage is reduced to the final voltage. This results in a symmetrical progression of the electrical voltage on the flat electrodes.
  • the first peak value of the voltage can be a value of, for example, 48 V, with the final voltage being 0 V.
  • the period of the voltage can be a frequency of approx. 50 Hz.
  • the glazing unit comprises at least an outer pane and an inner pane that are joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer.
  • the functional element is enclosed in the thermoplastic intermediate layer.
  • the glazing unit is intended, in a window opening, for example, of a vehicle, a building, or a room, to separate the interior from the external surroundings.
  • window opening for example, of a vehicle, a building, or a room
  • inner pane refers to the pane facing the interior.
  • Outer pane refers to the pane facing the external surroundings.
  • the thermoplastic intermediate layer serves to join the two panes.
  • the thermoplastic intermediate layer contains at least one thermoplastic polymer, preferably ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), or polyurethane (PU) or mixtures or copolymers or derivatives thereof, particularly preferably PVB.
  • the intermediate layer is typically formed from a thermoplastic film.
  • the thickness of the intermediate layer is preferably from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, particularly preferably from 0.3 mm to 1 mm.
  • the outer pane and the inner pane are preferably made of glass, in particular of soda lime glass, which is customary for window panes.
  • the panes can also be made of other types of glass (for example, borosilicate glass, quartz glass, aluminosilicate glass) or transparent plastics (for example, polymethyl methacrylate or polycarbonate).
  • the thickness of the outer pane and the inner pane can vary widely. Preferably, panes with a thickness in the range from 0.8 mm to 5 mm, preferably from 1.4 mm to 2.5 mm are used, for example, those with the standard thicknesses of 1.6 mm or 2.1 mm.
  • the outer pane, the inner pane, and the thermoplastic intermediate layer can be clear and colorless, but also tinted or colored.
  • a corresponding windshield must have, in the central field of vision, sufficient light transmittance, preferably at least 70% in the primary through-vision region A in accordance with ECE-R43.
  • the outer pane and the inner panes can, independently of one another, be non-tempered, partially tempered, or tempered. If at least one of the panes is to be tempered, this can be thermal or chemical tempering.
  • the outer pane, the inner pane, and/or the intermediate layer can have additional suitable coatings known per se, for example, antireflection coatings, nonstick coatings, anti-scratch coatings, photocatalytic coatings, or solar protection coatings or low-E coatings.
  • the glazing unit can be produced by methods known per se.
  • the outer pane and the inner pane are laminated to one another via the intermediate layer, for example, by autoclave methods, vacuum bag methods, vacuuming methods, calender methods, vacuum laminators, or combinations thereof.
  • the joining of the outer pane and the inner pane is usually carried out under the action of heat, vacuum, and/or pressure.
  • the glazing unit includes a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties that is enclosed in the intermediate layer.
  • the functional element is typically arranged between at least two layers of thermoplastic material of the intermediate layer, being bonded to the outer pane by the first layer and to the inner pane by the second layer.
  • Such a functional element comprises at least one active layer, which is arranged between a first carrier film and a second carrier film.
  • the active layer has the variable optical properties that can be controlled by an electrical voltage applied to the active layer.
  • electrically controllable optical properties means those properties that are continuously controllable, but also, equally, those that can be switched between two or more discrete states.
  • the optical properties relate in particular to light transmittance and/or to scattering behavior.
  • the functional element also includes flat electrodes for applying the voltage to the active layer, which are preferably arranged between the carrier films and the active layer.
  • the functional element is a PDLC functional element, in particular one that switches at least one region of the glazing unit from a transparent to opaque state and vice versa.
  • the active layer of a PDLC functional element contains liquid crystals that are embedded in a polymer matrix.
  • the functional element is an SPD functional element.
  • the active layer contains suspended particles, with the absorption of light by the active layer being variable by applying a voltage to the flat electrodes.
  • the flat electrodes and the active layer are arranged substantially parallel to the surfaces of the outer pane and the inner pane.
  • the flat electrodes are connected to an external voltage source.
  • the electrical contacting, as well as the connection to the energy source of the active layer, is implemented by suitable connecting cables, for example, flat conductors or foil conductors, which are optionally connected to the flat electrodes via so-called “bus bars”, for example, strips of an electrically conductive material or electrically conductive imprints.
  • the thickness of the functional element is, for example, from 0.4 mm to 1 mm.
  • the flat electrodes are preferably designed as transparent, electrically conductive layers.
  • the flat electrodes preferably contain at least at least a metal, a metal alloy, or a transparent conducting oxide (TCO).
  • the flat electrodes can contain, for example, silver, gold, copper, nickel, chromium, tungsten, indium tin oxide (ITO), gallium-doped or aluminum-doped zinc oxide, and/or fluorine-doped or antimony-doped tin oxide.
  • the flat electrodes preferably have a thickness of 10 nm (nanometers) to 2 ⁇ m (microns), particularly preferably 20 nm to 1 ⁇ m, most particularly preferably 30 nm to 500 nm.
  • the invention also includes a glazing assembly of a vehicle or building, at least comprising a glazing unit with electrically controllable optical properties.
  • the glazing unit comprises the outer pane and the inner pane that are joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer and in which a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties is enclosed.
  • the functional element has an active layer with which flat electrodes on both surfaces are associated.
  • the glazing assembly further includes a control unit for electrically controlling the optical properties of the glazing unit according to the method according to the invention, which control unit is connected to the flat electrodes of the functional element and is designed for applying an electrical voltage between the flat electrodes.
  • the control unit is provided for periodically changing the polarity of the voltage, with the voltage having a trapezoidal profile.
  • the control unit has, according to the invention, means for the effective utilization of the electrical energy.
  • a vehicle in particular a passenger car, with the glazing assembly according to the invention is described.
  • a further aspect of the invention includes the use of the glazing assembly according to the invention in means of locomotion for travel on land, in the air, or on water, in particular in motor vehicles, for example, as a windshield, rear window, side window, and/or roof panel, and as a functional individual article, and as a built-in part in furniture, appliances, and buildings.
  • FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a glazing assembly
  • FIG. 2 a cross-sectional representation of a first thermoplastic layer with a functional element with an electrical terminal
  • FIG. 3 a graphic representation of a profile of an electrical voltage applied to the functional element in accordance with the method according to the invention
  • FIG. 4 a switching device for implementing the method according to the invention
  • FIG. 5 an exemplary embodiment of a switching device for operating the functional element in accordance with the method
  • FIG. 6 a profile of a voltage V PDLC1 and a profile of a voltage V PDLC2 ,
  • FIG. 7 a profile of a voltage V PDLC
  • FIG. 8 an equivalent circuit diagram of the functional element.
  • the components described represent features of the invention, in each case independently of one another, that are also to be regarded as part of the invention in isolation or even in a combination different from that depicted.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of a glazing assembly 100 with a glazing unit 1 , which can be installed, for example, in a motor vehicle or in a building.
  • the glazing unit 1 comprises an outer pane 1 a and an inner pane 1 b that are joined to one another via an intermediate layer 3 .
  • the outer pane 1 a has a thickness of 2.1 mm and is made of soda lime glass.
  • the inner pane 1 b has a thickness of 1.6 mm and is made of clear soda lime glass.
  • the glazing unit 1 is equipped in a central region with the functional element 2 that is enclosed in the intermediate layer 3 .
  • the intermediate layer 3 comprises a total of three thermoplastic layers, formed in each case by a thermoplastic film with a thickness of 0.38 mm made of PVB.
  • the first thermoplastic layer 3 a is bonded to the outer pane 1 ; the second thermoplastic layer 3 b , to the inner pane 1 b .
  • the intervening third thermoplastic layer surrounds the cut-to-size functional element 2 (PDLC multilayer film) substantially flush on all sides.
  • the functional element 2 is thus embedded all around in thermoplastic material and protected thereby.
  • FIG. 1 further depicts the switched-on state of the glazing assembly 100 with the functional element 2 enclosed in the glazing unit 1 .
  • the glazing assembly 100 also includes a control unit 11 (also called an ECU in a motor vehicle), which is electrically connected to the functional element 2 via a closed switch 12 , a flat conductor, electrical terminals 13 ( FIG. 2 ), and bus bars 8 such that an electrical voltage V PDLC can be applied on the terminals 13 .
  • a control unit 11 also called an ECU in a motor vehicle
  • the optical properties of the glazing unit 1 are controlled by the control unit 11 .
  • the control unit 11 is electrically connected to two transparent flat electrodes 10 of the functional element 2 .
  • An electrical voltage V PDLC is applied between the flat electrodes 10 by the control unit 11 and the polarity of the voltage V PDLC is changed periodically (alternated).
  • the voltage V PDLC has a trapezoidal profile, in accordance with FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional representation of a first thermoplastic layer 3 a with a functional element 2 with an electrical terminal 13 .
  • the first thermoplastic layer 3 a is a PVB film with a thickness of 0.38 mm.
  • the functional element 2 is a multilayer film composed of an active layer 9 , two flat electrodes 10 , and two carrier films 11 .
  • Such multilayer films are commercially available as PDLC multilayer films.
  • the active layer 9 is arranged between the two flat electrodes 10 .
  • the active layer 9 contains a polymer made with liquid crystals dispersed therein, which align themselves as a function of the electrical voltage applied on the flat electrodes 10 , by which means the optical properties can be controlled.
  • the carrier films 11 are made of PET and have a thickness of approx. 0.125 mm.
  • the carrier films 11 are provided with a coating of ITO with a thickness of approx. 100 nm facing the active layer, which form the flat electrodes 10 .
  • the flat electrodes 10 can be connected to an electrical voltage via electrically conductive bus bars 8 .
  • the bus bars 8 are formed by a silver-containing screen print.
  • the bus bars can be formed by electrically conductive metal strips or an electrically conductive coating.
  • metal includes metal alloy (copper alloy).
  • One bus bar 8 is connected to the flat electrode 10 , by recessing the carrier film 11 , a flat electrode 10 , and the active layer along an edge region of the respective side of the functional element 2 such that the other opposite flat electrode 10 with the associated carrier film 11 protrudes.
  • the respective bus bar 8 is arranged on the protruding flat electrode 10 .
  • Two conductor wires connect the bus bars 8 to an electrical voltage V PDLC via a flat conductor in each case.
  • one conductor wire is electrically conductively connected to a terminal region of the flat conductor in each case.
  • an electrically conductive connection can be reinforced by a solder connection between a conductor wire and a terminal region 13 in each case.
  • FIG. 3 shows a graphic representation of a profile of an electrical voltage V PDLC applied to the functional element 2 .
  • the voltage V PDLC was applied to the functional element 2 .
  • the applied electrical voltage V PDLC is an AC voltage.
  • the control unit 11 generates the voltage V PDLC with a trapezoidal profile.
  • the frequency of the voltage is preferably 50 Hz with an effective voltage of 48 V.
  • the trapezoidal shape has a falling slope, marked in FIG. 3 , of approx. 5% of the period duration in order to lengthen the discharge phase of the functional element.
  • the voltage profile shown in FIG. 3 was applied to the functional element 2 as follows:
  • FIG. 4 depicts a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a first half bridge with a downstream LC filter (L 1 , C 2 ) at the time of the discharging of the functional element 2 .
  • Another second half bridge shown in FIG. 5 is necessary for operating the functional element.
  • the flat electrodes 10 are discharged with a delay immediately when the polarity is switched.
  • the duty cycle of the PWM is decisive for the discharge time.
  • an inductance for example, coil L 1
  • the coil L 1 is wired with one terminal to a flat electrode 10 . With its second terminal, the coil L 1 is connected to an input of a switch in each case, e.g., of a transistor (FET, thyristor, or MOSFET), Q 1 and Q 2 . With its output, the transistor Q 1 is connected to ground.
  • a switch e.g., of a transistor (FET, thyristor, or MOSFET
  • the output of the transistor Q 2 is connected to the first terminal of a capacitor C 1 as capacitance.
  • the voltage Vgs between the gate and source of the transistor is 0 V.
  • the transistor Q 1 can be switched by means of the pulse width modulation PWM to an electrically conductive state.
  • a second terminal of the capacitor C 1 is connected to ground.
  • the capacitor C 1 serves as temporary storage.
  • a capacitor C 2 capacitively connects the flat electrode 10 to the ground potential.
  • the circuit shown in FIG. 4 can be operated as a half bridge with an LC filter.
  • the control unit 11 To switch on transparency in the glazing unit 1 , the control unit 11 generates the electrical voltage V PDLC at the electrical terminal 13 .
  • the control unit 11 can generate the electrical voltage V PDLC as AC voltage with a trapezoidal profile, as shown by way of example in FIG. 3 .
  • the transistor Q 1 After the functional element 2 has been charged to 48 V, the transistor Q 1 is switched with a PWM signal. While the transistor Q 1 switches, a current flows from the functional element 2 (PDLC) via the coil L 1 and the transistor Q 1 to the potential GND (ground potential).
  • the coil L 1 counteracts this such that the current continues to flow via the transistor Q 2 into a capacitor C 1 .
  • This increases the voltage across the capacitor C 1 .
  • the energy stored in the capacitor C 1 can be used as additional electrical energy for the next charging of the functional element 2 and will not dissipate as reactive power in the form of heat energy as in a conventional control unit. This result was unexpected and surprising for the person skilled in the art.
  • FIG. 5 depicts a switching device for operating the functional element 2 .
  • the switching device comprises the first half bridge, shown in FIG. 4 , consisting of transistor Q 11 and transistor Q 21 with a downstream LC filter L 11 , C 21 as well as a second half bridge.
  • the second half bridge comprises the transistor Q 12 and the transistor Q 22 with a downstream LC filter L 12 , C 22 .
  • the transistor Q 11 is switched by means of PWM 1 to an electrically conductive state.
  • the voltage V PDLC in particular AC voltage, applied to the functional element 2 is generated, by the two half bridges, which switch anti-cyclically between 0 V and an intermediate circuit voltage V C1 .
  • the intermediate circuit voltage V C1 is applied to the capacitor C 1 .
  • the negative voltage “sees” only the functional element 2 , since it is connected between the two outputs of the two half bridges.
  • FIG. 6 through 8 illustrate the generation of the electrical voltage V PDLC applied to the functional element 2 .
  • FIG. 6 shows a profile of a voltage V PDLC1 , which is applied to the output of the first half bridge, as shown in FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 6 shows the profile of a voltage V PDLC2 , which is applied to the output of the second half bridge. Both the voltage V PDLC1 and the voltage V PDLC2 have trapezoidal profiles.
  • FIG. 7 shows a voltage difference of the voltages V PDLC1 and V PDLC2 as voltage V PDLC .
  • FIG. 8 depicts an equivalent circuit diagram of the functional element 2 .
  • a capacitance C PDLC represents the functional element 2 , on which the electrical voltage V PDLC , as a difference of the voltages V PDLC1 and V PDLC2 , is applied.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Joining Of Glass To Other Materials (AREA)
US17/928,808 2020-06-16 2021-05-27 Method for electrically controlling a functional element enclosed in a glazing unit Pending US20230219325A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20180208.9 2020-06-16
EP20180208 2020-06-16
PCT/EP2021/064212 WO2021254761A1 (de) 2020-06-16 2021-05-27 Verfahren zur elektrischen steuerung eines in einer verglasungseinheit eingelagerten funktionselements

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EP (1) EP4164879A1 (de)
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH06186529A (ja) * 1992-12-16 1994-07-08 Ajinomoto Co Inc 調光液晶装置の駆動方法
DE19544127C1 (de) 1995-11-27 1997-03-20 Gimsa Jan Dr Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung von Resonanzerscheinungen in Partikelsuspensionen und ihre Verwendung
GB0916379D0 (en) 2009-09-18 2009-10-28 Pilkington Group Ltd Laminated glazing
FR2962818B1 (fr) 2010-07-13 2013-03-08 Saint Gobain Dispositif electrochimique a proprietes de transmission optique et/ou energetique electrocommandables.
US8164818B2 (en) 2010-11-08 2012-04-24 Soladigm, Inc. Electrochromic window fabrication methods
JP2013072895A (ja) 2011-09-26 2013-04-22 Seiko Electric Co Ltd 液晶調光装置及び液晶調光素子の駆動装置
EP2952372A1 (de) 2014-06-04 2015-12-09 AGC Glass Europe Verglasung, die einen Flüssigkristallfilm umfasst
EP3652585B1 (de) 2017-07-12 2023-02-22 Saint-Gobain Glass France Verfahren zur steuerung einer vorrichtung mit funktionselementen die elektrisch steuerbare optische eigenschaften aufweisen

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